Drainage Device

ABSTRACT

Described is a drainage device for surface drainage, in particular a drainage channel, comprising a hollow, preferably elongate main body ( 2 ) and a liquid-permeable portion ( 4 ) covering the main body ( 2 ), wherein the main body ( 2 ) has at least one opening ( 8, 9 ) for connection to an opening of a further drainage device. The particularity of the invention is that the at least one opening ( 8, 9 ) has a joining element for forming a fluid-tight plug connection to an opening of a further drainage device.

The invention concerns a drainage device for surface drainage, in particular a drainage channel, comprising a hollow, preferably elongate main body and a liquid-permeable portion covering the main body, wherein the main body has at least one opening for connection to an opening of a further drainage device.

Drainage devices of the above-mentioned kind are used in particular in traffic surfaces for vehicles and are for example in the form of drainage channels. Drainage devices of the kind involved here are prefabricated components which are usually mass-produced. Because the length or structural size is limited due to manufacturer considerations, for draining relatively large traffic surfaces it is necessary for a plurality of drainage devices to be suitably connected together. For that purpose the main body of a drainage device is provided with at least one opening, wherein during installation the main body of the drainage device is so arranged at an adjacent further drainage device that the opening in the main body is connected to an opening in the adjacent further drainage device and the openings communicate with each other. It will be noted however that fitting a plurality of drainage devices together during installation thereof entails increased complication and effort, in particular because of the sealing measures to be implemented.

The object of the present invention is to improve a drainage device of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification in such a way that a connection to at least one further drainage device becomes a possibility in a simpler fashion.

That object is attained by a drainage device for surface drainage, in particular a drainage channel, comprising a hollow, preferably elongate main body and a liquid-permeable portion covering the main body, wherein the main body has at least one opening for connection to an opening of a further drainage device, characterised in that the at least one opening has a joining element for forming a fluid-tight plug connection to an opening of a further drainage device.

By means of the invention there is provided a plug system which permits the drainage device to be simply but effectively connected to other drainage devices. Additional sealing measures as were required in the state of the art for example by applying sealing material are eliminated as sealing integrity is implemented by the liquid-tight plug connection. For, during the operation of connection to a further drainage device, sealing integrity is produced at the same time in the region of the two openings between two adjacent drainage devices. According to the invention that is achieved in that at least one opening of the main body of the drainage device has a joining element provided for forming a liquid-tight plug connection to an opening of a further drainage device.

The further drainage device which is to be connected by means of the joining element according to the invention can involve all kinds of devices which receive and/or pass on liquid, this including for example both drainage channels for receiving surface water and also pipes of a closed periphery for passing on and/or discharging the liquid received by the drainage device according to the invention.

To produce a water-tight connection the joining element desirably has a seal.

In particular the joining element is in the form of a preferably cylindrical, ring-shaped or tubular portion or joining connector. In a development of that configuration the seal is in the form of a sealing ring which sits at the inside and/or the outside of the annular or tubular portion.

In addition preferably the joining element can be of such a configuration that it can be fluid-tightly plugged substantially directly into an opening of a further drainage device.

A further configuration in which the main body has at least one first opening for connection to an opening of a second drainage device and a second opening for connection to an opening of a third drainage device, is characterised in that the first opening has a joining element of a first kind and the second opening has a joining element of a second kind, wherein the joining element of the first kind is of such a configuration that it can be fluid-tightly plugged into a joining element of the second kind, provided at the opening of a second drainage device, and the joining element of the second kind is of such a configuration that it liquid-tightly receives a joining element of the first kind, provided at an opening of a third drainage device. In that case the joining element of the second kind can be formed substantially by the second opening itself. Alternatively or in addition however it is also conceivable that the joining element of the second kind is of a shape substantially complementary to the joining element of the first kind. With that configuration it is possible to implement a socket connection, wherein the joining element of the first kind performs the function of a socket and the joining element of the second kind performs the function of an end portion.

In addition desirably the joining element is adapted for producing a liquid-tight plug connection with standardised pipe connections. In that way it is possible for the drainage device to be connected not only to other drainage devices of the aforementioned kind, but selectively also to commercially available standardised pipes or discharge pipes such as for example of the widespread KG system. It is possible in that way to construct a drainage system which includes not only drainage devices of the aforementioned kind, but which can also be supplemented by straight or curved shaped portions of a commercially available, standardised pipe system.

Preferably the main body and the liquid-permeable portion covering the main body can jointly form an integral body, whereby what is referred to as a monolithic drainage device is formed. Preferably the integral body comprises cast iron which, in comparison with conventionally employed fibre or polymer concrete, is distinguished by a markedly greater strength and is less brittle. That configuration which moreover represents an independent aspect of the invention permits a lighter and easier installation, in particular because there is no longer any need for additionally introducing supporting concrete upon installation.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is proposed a device for connecting two drainage devices according to the invention in order to bring a joining element of the one drainage device into plugging connection relationship with a joining element of the other drainage device, characterised by a handle portion which with one end can be brought into pivotal engagement with the one drainage device and a pulling element which with one end is pivotably mounted to the handle portion and with another end can be brought into engagement with the other drainage device, wherein another end of the handle portion can be acted upon with a torque in order by way of the pulling element to exert a tensile force on the other drainage device, whereby it can be moved into plugging connection relationship with the one drainage device.

By means of that device, two drainage devices according to the invention can be particularly easily connected together, in particular manually, during their installation. For that purpose the handle portion is brought with its one end into pivotal engagement with one of the two drainage devices to be connected together and the pulling element is brought with its other end into engagement with the other drainage device. By applying a torque to the handle portion, which is usually effected by hand, the handle portion is subjected to a pivotal movement about its one end which is in pivotal engagement with the one drainage device. The pivotal movement takes place in a direction away from the pulling element. The consequence of this is that a tensile force is transmitted to the other drainage device by way of the pulling element pivotably mounted to the handle portion, and in that way the other drainage device is subjected to a movement in a direction towards the one drainage device. That movement in turn now provides that the two drainage devices are brought into liquid-tight plug connection with each other by way of their joining elements.

Preferably the one end of the handle portion can be brought into pivotal engagement with the liquid-permeable portion, covering the main body, of the one drainage device, wherein operation can take place from above and can thus be effected in a particularly simple fashion. If the liquid-permeable portion has openings, the one end of the handle portion should advantageously be so designed that it can be plugged into one of the openings of the liquid-permeable portion. For fixing purposes therefore an abutment should further be provided at the one end of the handle portion, which abutment can be brought into contact with or can be caused to bear against the liquid-permeable portion in order to form the pivot point for the pivotal movement of the handle portion.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention the other end of the pulling element can be brought into engagement with the liquid-permeable portion, covering the main body, of the other drainage device, whereby operation can take place from above and can thus be carried out in a particularly simple fashion. If the liquid-permeable portion has openings, the other end of the pulling element should advantageously be of such a configuration that it can be anchored in one of those openings and can possibly be plugged into that opening. For that purpose for example the other end of the pulling element can have a hooked portion with which it is brought into hooking engagement in one of the openings.

In accordance with a further preferred configuration the handle portion has a first portion between a pivotal mounting point where the one end of the pulling element is pivotably mounted to the handle portion and its one end as well as a second portion between the pivotal mounting point and its other end and the length of the second portion is a multiple of the length of the first portion. In that way it is possible to achieve a particularly good lever action in order to be able by way of the pulling element to produce a particularly high tensile force which, depending on the situation of installation, is often required in order to be able to pull the other drainage device in a direction towards the one drainage device.

Desirably the handle portion is elongate and preferably in the form of a bar.

At this juncture it should also be noted for the sake of completeness that the term “surface drainage” is used to denote draining off not only water but also liquid of any kind. Accordingly the drainage device referred to herein is suitable not only for draining off water but liquid of any kind.

A preferred embodiment by way of example is described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a drainage channel for surface drainage in accordance with a preferred embodiment,

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the drainage channel of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the drainage channel of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows a preferred configuration of a tool for connecting two adjacent drainage channels,

FIG. 5 shows the tool illustrated in FIG. 4 in a working position in engagement with two drainage channels to be connected together, as a perspective view, and

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the tool shown in FIG. 4 in a working position in engagement with two drainage channels to be connected together.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a drainage device in the form of a drainage channel for surface drainage in accordance with a preferred embodiment, as is typically used in traffic surfaces. The drainage channel is composed of a main body 2 which is U-shaped in cross-section, and a cover 4. So that the cover 4 is liquid-permeable, it has a multiplicity of passages or through openings which are not identified in greater detail in the Figures but which can be seen therein. In the installed condition of the drainage channel in accordance with the orientation shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the cover 4 is disposed on the top side of the main body 2 and thus closes it and the top side of the cover 4 is approximately at the level of a traffic surface (not shown in the Figures).

In the illustrated embodiment the main body 2 has anchorages 6 in the form of “feet” in order to suitably anchor the drainage channel in place in the installed condition, more specifically for example in the earth or in concrete which is additionally cast in position at the outside.

In the illustrated embodiment the main body 2 is of an elongate shape and is open at its two narrow ends, where there are correspondingly provided a first opening 8 and a second opening 9.

Provided in the region of the first opening 8 is a first joining element 10 which in the illustrated embodiment comprises a cylindrical tubular joining connector 12 which surrounds and thus defines the first opening 8. As can also be seen from the Figures, in the illustrated embodiment the joining connector 12 is integrally connected to the main body 2 and thus forms a part thereof.

Provided at the oppositely disposed second opening 9 is a second joining element 14 which in the illustrated embodiment has a ring-shaped portion 16 and is also integrally connected to the main body 2 so that the ring-shaped portion 16 forms a portion of the main body 2. As can also be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 provided in the inside wall of the ring-shaped portion 16 is an inwardly open groove 18 which extends in the peripheral direction of the ring-shaped portion 16 and thus forms a closed ring-shaped groove, the diameter of which is somewhat larger than the inside diameter of the ring-shaped portion 16. Disposed in that ring-shaped groove 18 is a sealing ring 20 which is in the form of an O-ring and whose radially inwardly disposed peripheral portion projects a little from the inside wall of the ring-shaped portion 16.

The sealing ring 20 comprises elastic material such as rubber, a rubber blend or a suitable plastic material. In that way it is possible that, in the event of forces acting radially outwardly on the exposed, inwardly projecting portion of the sealing ring 20, it is squeezed in a direction towards the groove 16 and produces a corresponding sealing action.

The two joining elements 10 and 14 form a plug system for forming a liquid-tight plug connection of a plurality of drainage channels of the configuration shown in the Figures. For that purpose the outside diameter of the cylindrical joining connector 12 forming the first joining element 10 is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the ring-shaped portion 16 of the second joining element 14, but larger than the inside diameter of the sealing ring 20 in its relaxed condition.

By virtue of those dimensions, it is possible, when making a connection between two drainage channels of the configuration shown in the Figures, for the joining connector 12 of the one drainage channel to be introduced into the ring-shaped portion 16 of the other drainage channel and to be brought into contact engagement, with its outside, with the sealing ring 20, whereby the sealing ring 20 is expanded in the radial direction and thus squeezed together and accordingly produces sealing integrity between the first joining element 10 of the one drainage channel and the second joining element 14 of the other drainage channel. That affords a water-tight connection between two respective drainage channels of the configuration shown in the Figures.

The above-described plug connection is also referred to as a socket connection as the first joining element 10 performs the function of a socket and the second joining element 14 performs the function of an end portion.

Desirably the two joining elements 10 and 14 should be of the same shape and configuration as the joining elements of standardised discharge flow pipes. In that way it is possible for the drainage channel illustrated in the Figures to be connected not only to other drainage channels of the same design but selectively also to commercially available standardised discharge flow pipes such as for example the widespread KG system. In that way it is possible to construct a drainage system which includes not only drainage channels of the configuration illustrated in the Figures but which can also be supplemented by straight or curved shaped portions of a commercially available standardised pipe system.

As in particular FIGS. 1 and 2 further show, in the illustrated embodiment the main body 2 and the cover 4 form an integral body, thereby forming what is referred to as a monolithic drainage channel. Preferably such a monolithic drainage channel is produced from cast iron which, in comparison with conventionally employed fibre or polymer concrete, is distinguished by markedly higher strength and is less brittle.

It will be appreciated that the above-described plug system consisting of the joining elements 10 and 14 can also be implemented both on drainage channels having a cover which is removable from the main body, and on all other possible kinds of drainage devices. It is also conceivable for the main body, in addition to the two openings 8 and 9, to be provided with further openings, and also for a respective joining element to be provided at those additional openings, selectively in accordance with the first joining element 10 or the second joining element 14 in order for example in that way to provide one or more branches. Conversely, it is also conceivable for the main body to be provided only with one single opening, in comparison with the configuration described hereinbefore with reference to the Figures, and for a joining element either in accordance with the first joining element 10 or in accordance with the second joining element 14 to be provided at that single opening, in order for example in that way to produce an end portion. Alternatively, to form such an end portion it is however also conceivable for example to close the second opening 9, by preferably using the cap of a commercially available standardised pipe system, which with its cylindrical joining connector which is of the same shape as the joining connector 12 is pushed into the ring-shaped portion 16 of the second joining element 14 with at the same time contact engagement with the sealing ring 20.

In order to be able to liquid-tightly connect together two respective drainage channels described hereinbefore with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, by way of the joining elements 10, 14 thereof, a tool which is to be actuated manually can be used during installation or assembly of the drainage channels. A preferred embodiment of such a tool 30 and the use thereof is shown in FIGS. 4 to 6.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 4 the tool 30 illustrated there by way of example has an elongate handle bar 32 to which a pulling element 34 is pivotally mounted with a first end 34 a by way of a hinge 36. The handle bar 32 has a first end 32 a which in the working position forms the lower end and a second end 32 b which in the working position forms the upper end. The handle bar 32 is divided by the hinge 36 into a first portion formed between the one end 32 a and the hinge 36 and a second portion 32 d formed between the other end 32 b and the hinge 36. As FIG. 4 shows the length of the second portion 32 d is a multiple of the length of the first portion 32 c.

The one end 32 a of the handle bar 32 has an extension 38 and an abutment 40 which is in the form of a transverse pin and which delimits the extension 38 in relation to the rest of the first portion 32 c of the handle bar 32. The other end 32 b serves as a handle and can preferably also be of a corresponding configuration, which however is not the case in the illustrated embodiment.

The pulling element 34 which is pivotally mounted with its one end 34 a to the handle bar 32 by way of the hinge 36 and is thus hingedly movable relative thereto is in the form of an elongate body which is rigid in itself, like the handle bar 32, as is shown in FIG. 4. The free other end 34 b of the pulling element 34 is provided with a hooked extension 42.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show use of the tool 30 illustrated in FIG. 4 for connecting two adjacent drainage channels 2.1 and 2.2. For that purpose the handle bar 32 is plugged with its one end 32 a from above into one of the openings (not identified in the Figures but clearly discernible therein) in the cover 4 of the one drainage channel 2.1 so that the extension 38 at that end 32 a projects into that opening and the abutment 40 which is in the form of the transverse pin comes to rest on the surface of the cover 4. The pulling element 34 is also hooked with its other end 34 b into an opening in the cover 4 of the adjacent drainage channel 2.2 so that the hooked extension 42 engages behind that opening. It will be appreciated that the two drainage channels 2.1 and 2.2 which are to be connected together must be previously brought into coaxial alignment in such a way that the first joining element 10 of the one drainage channel 2.1 comes to lie in adjacent relationship with the second joining element 14 of the other drainage channel 2.2 and in correspondingly aligned relationship therewith, as can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6. Depending on the dimensions of the tool 30 to be used, it makes sense for two openings, which are relatively close to each other, in the covers 4 of the two drainage channels 2.1 and 2.2 to be selected for engagement with the one end 32 a of the handle bar 32 and the other end 34 b of the pulling element 34. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 6 the handle bar 32, disposed in an obliquely inclined arrangement facing towards the other drainage channel 2.2, is brought into engagement with the one drainage channel 2.1, in which case the pulling element 34 comprising an elongate body is disposed approximately in a right-angled relationship with the handle bar 32. In that initial condition the two drainage channels 2.1 and 2.2 are still at a corresponding spacing from each other.

Then an operator (not shown in the Figures) grips the handle bar 32 preferably at its other end 32 b which in this position now forms the upper end, and moves the handle bar 32 in a direction towards the one drainage channel 2.1. That leads to a pivotal movement of the handle bar 32 about the abutment 40 which is resting on the surface of the cover 4 of the one drainage channel 2.1 and which thus also forms a pivot point for the pivotal movement of the handle bar 32. The pivotal movement is indicated by the arrow A in the FIGS. 5 and 6. The consequence of a pivotal movement being imparted to the handle bar 32 as indicated by the arrow “A” is that the pulling element 34 pivotally mounted to the handle bar 32 is moved in a direction towards the one drainage channel 2.1. As the pulling element 34 is hooked in the cover 4 of the other drainage channel 2.2, the consequence of this is that the other drainage channel 2.2 is correspondingly entrained in the direction of the arrow “B” and is thus displaced in a direction towards the one drainage channel 2.1. For, the fact that a torque is applied to the handle bar 32 means that a tensile force is transmitted by the handle bar 32 to the other drainage channel 2.2 by way of the pulling element 34, and that tensile force provides that the other drainage channel 2.2 is subjected to a movement in a direction towards the one drainage channel 2.1.

The pivotal movement of the handle bar 32 is continued until the two joining elements 10 and 14 have come into liquid-tight plug connecting relationship with each other. As then the two drainage channels 2.1 and 2.2 which are now connected together have come into contact with each other at their ends a further pivotal movement of the handle bar 32 makes no sense and is also no longer possible. Rather, the tool 30 is then removed from the arrangement, which is now connected together, of the two drainage channels 2.1 and 2.2, by a procedure whereby the hooked portion 42 at the other end 34 b of the pulling element 34 is released from the cover 4 of the other drainage channel 2.2 by manually pivoting the pulling element 34 upwardly, and the one end 32 a of the handle bar 32 is pulled with its extension 38 out of the corresponding opening in the cover 4 of the one drainage channel 2.1. 

1-21. (canceled)
 22. A drainage device for surface drainage, in particular a drainage channel, comprising a hollow, generally elongate main body and a liquid-permeable portion covering the main body, wherein the main body has at least one opening for connection to an opening of a further drainage device, and the at least one opening has a joining element for forming a fluid-tight plug connection to an opening of a further drainage device.
 23. A device according to claim 22, wherein the joining element has a seal.
 24. A device according to claim 22, wherein the joining element is in the form of a generally cylindrical, ring-shaped or tubular portion or joining connector.
 25. A device according to claim 23, wherein the seal is in the form of a sealing ring which sits at the inside and/or the outside of the annular or tubular portion.
 26. A device according to claim 22, wherein the joining element is of such a configuration that it can be fluid-tightly plugged into an opening of a further drainage device.
 27. A device according to claim 22 in which the main body has at least one first opening for connection to an opening of a second drainage device and a second opening for connection to an opening of a third drainage device, wherein the first opening has a joining element of a first kind and the second opening has a joining element of a second kind, wherein the joining element of the first kind is of such a configuration that it can be fluid-tightly plugged into a joining element of the second kind, provided at the opening of a second drainage device, and the joining element of the second kind is of such a configuration that it liquid-tightly receives a joining element of the first kind, provided at an opening of a third drainage device.
 28. A device according to claim 27, wherein the joining element of the second kind is formed substantially by the second opening.
 29. A device according to claim 27, wherein the joining element of the second kind is of a shape substantially complementary to the joining element of the first kind
 30. A device according to claim 22, wherein the joining element is adapted for producing a liquid-tight plug connection with standardised pipe connections.
 31. A device according to claim 22, wherein the main body and the liquid-permeable portion covering the main body jointly form an integral body.
 32. A device according to claim 31, wherein the integral body comprises cast iron.
 33. A device for connecting two drainage devices according to claim 1 in order to bring a joining element of the one drainage device into plugging connection relationship with a joining element of the other drainage device, comprising a handle portion which with one end can be brought into pivotal engagement with the one drainage device and a pulling element which with one end is pivotably mounted to the handle portion and with another end can be brought into engagement with the other drainage device, wherein another end of the handle portion can be acted upon with a torque in order by way of the pulling element to exert a tensile force on the other drainage device, whereby it can be moved into plugging connection relationship with the one drainage device.
 34. A device according to claim 33, wherein the one end of the handle portion can be brought into pivotal engagement with the liquid-permeable portion, covering the main body, of the one drainage device.
 35. A device according to claim 34, wherein the liquid-permeable portion has openings, and the one end of the handle portion can be plugged into one of the openings of the liquid-permeable portion.
 36. A device according to claim 35, wherein the one end of the handle portion has an abutment which can be brought into contact against the liquid-permeable portion.
 37. A device according to claim 33, wherein the other end of the pulling element can be brought into engagement with the liquid-permeable portion, covering the main body, of the other drainage device.
 38. A device according to claim 37, wherein the liquid-permeable portion has openings, and the other end of pulling element can be anchored in one of the openings.
 39. A device according to claim 38, wherein the other end of the pulling element can be plugged into one of the openings.
 40. A device according to claim 39, wherein the other end of the pulling element has a hooked portion.
 41. A device according to claim 33, wherein the handle portion has a first portion-between a pivotal mounting point where the one end of the pulling element is pivotably mounted to the handle portion and its one end as well as a second portion between the pivotal mounting point and its other end and the length of the second portion is a multiple of the length of the first portion.
 42. A device according to claim 33, wherein the handle portion-is elongate and generally in the form of a bar. 